Thread: Just Say No to the 'Gang of 10'

Just Say No to the 'Gang of 10'

Posted by Bobby Eberle
August 13, 2008 at 6:28 am

As House GOP members continued their protests to force a vote on more domestic oil drilling, the Senate's "Gang of 10" was hard at work dismantling their efforts. The five Republicans on the "Gang of 10," known by some reports as the "5 Stooges," are supporting a bill that is not only unconservative, but gives the Democrats a gift by taking away one of our strongest election issues: more drilling.

The plan represents more government control (not less), more taxes (not less), and continues to provide barriers (rather than reducing them) to offshore oil production. Americans want more drilling, and members of the House GOP are working hard to provide it. It's time to contact the Senate and tell them that we DO NOT support the "Gang of 10" who are selling out conservative, Republican ideals in the name of singing kumbaya with liberal Democrats. And the establishment wonders why Republicans keep losing seats???

First of all, kudos again to the members of the House GOP who have continued their protests on Capitol Hill. Ever since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recessed the House for the summer break without a vote on domestic drilling, these House GOP leaders have stayed in Washington and demanded action on drilling. Their efforts may be starting to pay off.

As reported in The Hill, even Pelosi herself is hearing the chatter across the country and is now signaling that she may be open to a vote on drilling. However, she's certainly not going to play "straight up" with Congress, but is sure to throw in a number of tricks.

As she announced her willingness to hold a drilling vote Monday night, she stressed that it would have to be part of a larger energy package. And the contents of that package might include some items that would be tough for Republicans and the energy industry to swallow, like a renewable portfolio standard and the Democrats' signature "use it or lose it" legislation.

The Hill quotes Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) as saying, "If Speaker Pelosi is truly sincere about having a vote on deep-ocean oil and gas drilling to help bring down fuel costs, she should use her power as Speaker to call Congress back into session immediately and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act."

Even Pelosi sees the politics on the wall, and can see what is going on with the American people. She may not like it, and may fight it, but as The Hill notes, "Pelosi, who'd already started to signal the change by cutting vulnerable freshman members loose to vote their political best interests on drilling issues, was under increasing pressure from vulnerable Democrats who wanted a vote."

The pressure being felt by her is a goldmine for Republicans. This is a winning issue because we are on the right side of it. This is why the efforts of the "5 Stooges" on the "Gang of 10" are even more frustrating. Rather than sticking by conservative principles and seizing upon a winning issue for Republicans, these senators would rather support higher taxes and more government regulation. That's left-wing enough, but their support also takes away a great political issue for the election. Do they really want to see fewer Republicans in the House and Senate.

The 5 Republicans in the Gang of 10
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA) -- 202-224-3521 -- 770-763-9090
Sen. Johnny Isakson (GA) -- 202-224-3643 -- 770-661-0999
Sen. Bob Corker (TN) -- 202-224-3344 -- 423-756-2757
Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC) -- 202-224-5972 -- 864-250-1417
Sen. John Thune (SD) -- 202-224-2321 -- 605-334-9596

Drill Now -- Stop the Gang of 10!

Rather than selling out to liberal, special interests, these GOP senators should perhaps take a cue from their House colleagues or better yet, simply do NOTHING. Every time these people step forward with a compromise, the American people get stuck with more big government! As noted in Investors Business Daily (IBD), if Congress simply does nothing, the oil drilling issue will actually move forward.

Politicians are rightfully concerned that Americans are fed up with skyrocketing energy costs, so they have been scrambling to appear as though they are doing something about it.

But here's a news flash: If our elected representatives in Congress simply do nothing, three decades of failed anti-energy policies will disappear.

A ban on drilling in America's outer continental shelf (OCS) is set to expire on Oct. 1.

That's right... Congress simply has to let the act expire, and Americans will get more oil supply. This "inaction" is much better than the "bipartisan compromise" proposed by the "Gang of 10." Their bill costs taxpayers an estimated $84 billion in more taxes and programs that are not part of conservative government.

For example, the authors dedicate $7.5 billion in direct taxpayer support to car companies, with instructions to produce "alternative fuel" vehicles.

Another $7.5 billion in tax credits would give consumers incentive to purchase these not-yet-manufactured cars that run on not-yet-discovered fuels. But those are just insignificant details to the Gang of 10.

To pay for nearly a third of its plan, the Gang intends to tap a convenient political bogey man -- oil and gas producers -- by repealing a tax deduction given to all domestic manufacturers.

The Gang disingenuously describes this as "closing a loophole," but it actually is a tax hike on oil and gas companies doing business in America.

Automakers are already hearing the roar of consumers. They have been researching, and are now developing, more fuel efficient vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles. These efforts were driven by the market and the consumer. In other words, they are happening naturally. We do not need to use taxpayer funds to do what the market is doing for free!

In addition, the Gang is willing to open only a small part of the Gulf of Mexico to new production and give four coastal states -- Georgia, North and South Carolina and Virginia -- the right to reject or approve offshore production on their own territories at some point in the future.

The Gang also imposes an arbitrary, 50-mile no-drilling zone along the coasts. That will further restrict access to enormous potential resource deposits, such as the Gulf of Mexico's Destin Dome, which is 25 miles offshore.

This is NOT good legislation. These five GOP senators should be ashamed for turning their backs on conservative principles, the Republican Party, and the American people. Please let them know that we do NOT support this legislation. America can do better, and we can do so without having Republicans who act like Democrats.

http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=758

As she announced her willingness to hold a drilling vote Monday night, she stressed that it would have to be part of a larger energy package. And the contents of that package might include some items that would be tough for Republicans and the energy industry to swallow, like a renewable portfolio standard and the Democrats' signature "use it or lose it" legislation.

You mean like the investments that Michelle Malkin uncovered that Pelosi has in renewable energy companies? BUSTED.